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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Alternative belief systems
In Algonquin Indian lore, Manitou is a supernatural power that
permeates the world, a power that can assume the form of a deity
referred to as The Great Manitou or The Great Spirit, creator of
all things and giver of life. In that sense, Manitou can be
considered the counterpart of the Christian God. From early times,
the belief in Manitou extended from the Algonquins in Eastern
Canada to other tribal nations--the Odawa, Ojibwa, Oglala, and even
the Cheyenne in the Western plains. As European settlers made their
way across the land, the confrontation between Christianity and
Native American religions revealed itself in various ways. That
confrontation continues to this day. In Manitou and God, Thomas
describes American Indian religions as they compare with principal
features of Christian doctrine and practice. He traces the
development of sociopolitical and religious relations between
American Indians and the European immigrants who, over the
centuries, spread across the continent, captured Indian lands and
decimated Indian culture in general and religion in particular. He
identifies the modern-day status of American Indians and their
religions, including the progress Indians have made toward
improving their political power, socioeconomic condition, and
cultural/religious recovery and the difficulties they continue to
face in their attempts to better their lot. Readers will gain a
better sense of the give and take between these two cultures and
the influence each has had on the other.
The Western World is becoming atheist. In the space of three
generations churchgoing and religious belief have become alien to
millions. We are in the midst of one of humankind's great cultural
changes. How has this happened? Becoming Atheist explores how
people of the sixties' generation have come to live their lives as
if there is no God. It tells the life narratives of those from
Britain, Western Europe, the United States and Canada who came from
Christian, Jewish and other backgrounds to be without faith. Based
on interviews with 85 people born in 18 countries, Callum Brown
shows how gender, ethnicity and childhood shape how individuals
lose religion. This book moves from statistical and broad cultural
analysis to use frank, humorous and sometimes harrowing personal
testimony. Becoming Atheist exposes people's role in renegotiating
their own identities, and fashioning a secular and humanist culture
for the Western world.
Despite Enlightenment scepticism about the supernatural, stories
about spirits were regularly printed and shared throughout the
eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This case-study in the
transmission of a single story (of a young gunsmith near Bristol
conjuring spirits, leading to his early death) reveals both how and
why successive generations found meaning in such accounts. It shows
the workings of an expanding national print culture, but also the
continued importance of locality, oral culture and manuscript
copying, especially among the newly educated. It offers an insight
into the culture of Anglican clergy, spiritual autodidacts,
evangelical preachers, pioneering astrologers, mesmerists and
spiritualists, revealing the on-going appeal of Bible-based
providentialism. Initially told as a warning-lesson against
meddling with the demonic, the story also appealed to those keen to
uphold the existence of spirits, and to various groups who
themselves wished to communicate with spirits, while its portrayal
of a doomed youth attracted sympathy.
The ACT Clergy Handbook is an invaluable tool for Gnostic clergy in
formation. It is a useful reference book for all levels of clergy,
and a fascinating glimpse into Gnostic theology, exegesis, history,
and liturgical practice for anyone interested in ecclesiastical
Gnosticism. Included are liturgies, theurgic operations,
theoretical studies, and a comprehensive outline of the entire
Minor Orders curriculum. Also includes the full text of The
Kybalion and the Sepher Yetzirah.
H. P. Blavatsky introduces and clarifies her theosophical movement
to the curious reader in this detailed text, which is written in
the style of questions and answers. The Theosophic Society
attracted popular interest for its esoteric and unusual nature;
theosophy unites numerous mystical, spiritual and occult principles
with the stated mission of finding the hidden truths of existence.
This was accomplished through investigating ancient societies and
writings, together with Medieval and Renaissance era authors,
occultists and other mystics. With The Key to Theosophy, Blavatsky
intended to demystify and clarify many of the finer points of the
movement she founded. She not only discusses what topics the
Theosophical Society has an interest in, but the organizational
structure and leadership under which it operates The agreed beliefs
among its members concerning man's place on the Earth, and how
nature affects and controls humans perceptibly and imperceptibly,
are likewise detailed.
Featuring chapters written by experts within philosophy, theology,
spirituality, counseling, and psychology, Spirituality in Practice:
Thematic Frameworks for Counseling explores the ways in which
counselors can successfully integrate faith traditions within
practice. By combining diverse, scholarly perspectives with
opportunities for practical application, the text enables readers
to discover new languages, ways of approaching clients, and visions
for the profession. The book encourages novel ways of thinking and
the application of interventions that support growth and recovery.
Readers learn about the interplay of religion/spirituality, human
wholeness, and ultimate goals, as well as how faith in a
transcendent and immanent God can be used as an intervention
strategy. Dedicated chapters address the challenges of
post-modernity and faith; insights from psychology and philosophy
that bolster the healing process; the positive effect of prayer on
mental health; and key tenets and beliefs of Sufism, Buddhism, and
Hinduism that can inform counseling practice. Further coverage
includes mysticism in therapy, counseling culturally and
religiously diverse populations, and spiritual journeys.
Spirituality in Practice is ideal for graduate-level and
upper-level undergraduate courses in counseling. It is also an
excellent guide for practitioners across all cultural, religious,
and faith traditions.
Psycho-spirituality is indispensable if you want to live fully
your potentials. It needs to take roots in your personality,
cultivated, and find expression in life. Thus, this book invites
you to harness your psycho-spirituality to empower your life. It
speaks to both Christians and lay readers who seek Christian
precept to overcome helplessness in order to enhance emotional and
spiritual growth. Hence, Empowered attempts an unprecedented
exploration of the intersection of psychology and theology towards
the psycho-spiritual study of a biblical character - the prophet
Daniel of the Old Testament - to answer two questions:
How is psycho-spirituality expressed in Daniel's life and
empowered him?
How can you apply the lessons to empower your life?
The result is an enhanced understanding of Daniel, the person;
how his personality interplays with divine calling; and 10
practical lessons backed by research findings that you can apply to
better your life.
This comprehensive resource explores the intersection of
religion, politics, and the supernatural that spawned the notorious
witch hunts in Europe and the New World. "Witch Hunts in the
Western World: Persecution and Punishment from the Inquisition
through the Salem Trials" traces the evolution of western attitudes
towards magic, demons, and religious nonconformity from the Roman
Empire through the Age of Enlightenment, placing these chilling
events into a wider social and historical context. Witch hunts are
discussed in eight narrative chapters by region, highlighting the
cultural differences of the people who incited them as well as the
key reforms, social upheavals, and intellectual debates that shaped
European thought. Vivid accounts of trials and excerpts from the
writings of both witch hunters and defenders throughout the Holy
Roman Empire, France, the British Isles and colonies, Southern
Europe, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe bring to life one of the
most intriguing and shocking periods in Western history.
This in-depth and comprehensive resource explores the
intersection of religion, politics, and the supernatural that
spawned the notorious witch hunts in Europe and the New World.
"Witch Hunts in the Western World" traces the evolution of western
attitudes towards magic, demons, and religious nonconformity from
the Roman Empire through the Age of Enlightenment, placing these
chilling events into a wider social and historical context. Witch
hunts are discussed in fascinating detail by region, highlighting
the cultural differences of the people who incited them as well as
the key reforms, social upheavals, and intellectual debates that
shaped European thought. Vivid accounts of trials and excerpts from
the writings of both witch hunters and defenders throughout the
Holy Roman Empire, France, the British Isles and colonies, Southern
Europe, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe bring to life one of the
most intriguing and shocking periods in Western history.
Accessible narrative chapters make this a fascinating volume for
general readers while offering a wealth of historic information for
students and scholars. Features include a complete glossary of
terms, timeline of major events, recommended reading selections,
index, and black and white illustrations.
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